Pedal Powered Laptops in Afghanistan

A laptop is personal computers designed for mobile use and small and light enough to sit on a person's lap while in use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device, speakers, and usually including a battery, into a single small and light unit. The rechargeable battery is charged from an AC adapter and typically stores enough energy to run the laptop for three to five hours in its initial state, depending on the configuration and power management of the computer. 

 

There are solar powered laptops as well that will allow a computer to be powered. This simply means that regular laptops will be charged with solar powered batteries through the use of a solar charger. But poor people can not afford it. There was always the need of such technology which poor people can also afford and they are also benefited from the uses of a computer. And can use easily in very remote areas. So, the solution is “pedal powered laptops”.

Pedal power laptop is a pedal powered machine that uses nothing but pedal power to operate the laptop. The system is set up so that just about anyone with two legs would be able to power the laptop and they claim that even a third grader can step up to the pedal power laptop computer and get to work with no problems. This type of laptops is best for poor countries like Afghanistan.

The model is called XO and it uses a hand crank to power the system. It needs no additional power sources at all and it easily transported through the countryside and rural areas where people may not have access to a computer or the power sources to run one traditionally. It is meant to allow children in schools to be able to have computer access. The prototype is hooked up so that the hand crank generator is underneath the desk for the children to use while they are seated at their desk. In addition, they are using software that would enable the students to basically be on a common server.

The model is presently under observation and there are about 2,500 of the prototype computers in circulation in different parts of Kabul, Heart and Jalalabad. The success of the system will be assessed and tweaked as required, to create a successful learning environment without the need for power.